My Favorite Things

So, Christmas is upon us and I have found some wonderful gift ideas, products and deals that I thought you might want to look at for yourself or for others!  You can even print this list out and leave it in a conspicuous area for your significant other to find (maybe you should highlight your favorite items from this list).  Some items are steals, some are splurges....enjoy!  

1. Sephora Fragrance Sampler

So this is the gift idea that I am most excited about!  I love fragrances, but I hate to commit to an entire bottle of something in the store because it gets confusing to smell so many different things in one sitting.  With this sampler you get ten sample sizes of Sephora’s favorite/most popular fragrances and you even get an atomizer to use with them.  Then, when you have tried them all and picked your favorite there is a gift card in the package that you can use to get the full size bottle at the Sephora store!  How ingenious is that?!? 

2. Mally Eyeliner Set

These eyeliners are my new obsession.  I got sucked into a QVC promo for them and begged my husband to purchase them for me (I was sick and in bed, not up to getting my computer or phone out to place the order myself).  If you think that a collection of 10 eyeliners is overkill, you might be right you’re dead wrong!  These eyeliners do not smear or run and they are so pretty.  I love the shades and I have actually used all but one of them, surprisingly.  I’m just overjoyed that at the end of the day it is still in place and not halfway down my face!

3. Tria

So this one is definitely a splurge and it is not for everyone, but it is still one of my favorite things.  It is an at home laser hair removal system and it really works!  I have had mine for about 6 months now and I’m seeing exciting results.  I’ll tell you the good and not-so-good about it.  It only really works well if you have pale skin and dark hair, which I have.  It is not pain free, but it is definitely no worse than waxing.  It does take time to see results.  Like I said, I’ve had mine for about six months and you are supposed to use it every other week.  I only remember to use it about once a month (so I’ve done about 6 treatments, maybe 8) and I now have thinner and softer hair growth.  I expect to be “hair-free” in about 6 more months and I’m seriously going to try to start using it every other week, as directed.  It’s a big investment but I think it is totally worth it if you are committed to using it and if you meet the pale skin/dark hair requirement.

4. Stella and Dot Pegasus Necklace

I’m a jewelry junkie!  I’ve become slightly obsessed with this necklace from Stella and Dot, probably because it is on the cover of my catalog and I see it all the time.  I saw a girl wearing it with jeans and a white t-shirt and she looked so polished and then , of course you can wear it with a dressy outfit to just take it to the next level! 

5.  Tarte Make-Up Vanity

I WANT THIS!  I haven’t actually tried this product so I can’t gush about the functionality of it, but it is so pretty!  I think it would make me very excited to put my make-up on everyday.  It is also such a great deal at $52, when the regular retail price would be $505 if each item were purchased separately.  The best part is that when the make-up is gone you can use the case as a jewelry box-does that make this a green product?

6.  Black Friday Deals at Sephora (even available online)

I can’t wait for these!  They have ten sets that are $10 each which will be great for stocking stuffers, friend gifts, teacher gifts, or just for yourself!  I’ve got my eye on the Tarte mascara and primer due, the Stila lip palette and the Sephora travel brush set.  Buyer Beware: These deals are available while supplies last and start at 11:59 PST online.

7.  Old Navy Jeans for $15

These are available on Black Friday in store and online!  Now, I know that Old Navy jeans are not the most exciting thing out there, but you know how every year there is a new style of jeans that you want to try?  This is your opportunity!  I always get some really trendy style for really cheap and wear them for the season, then if the trend sticks around (like skinny jeans for instance) I might buy a nicer pair later.  I’ve got my eye on The Rock Star Jegging this year in that fabulous royal blue color!

8.  GNC Women’s Vitamins

Yep, vitamins.  This is the best time of year to start taking vitamins if you aren’t already taking them.  Our immune systems are working overtime, we are working overtime to get ready for the holidays, and let’s face it, Christmas candy is not a food group.  I take GNC Women’s Active vitamins and love them.  

9. John Wind Jewelry

Like I said, I’m a jewelry junkie!  This jewelry designer is one of my favorites because his work looks modern and vintage at the same time.  He makes these great little charms that can be added to some of his pieces and there are new charms every season.  I guess it still technically fits into the “costume” jewelry category, but I feel like I could pass it down to others because it is so classic.

10.  SimplySkin Rx

Of course this is on my list!  If you haven’t tried our new skincare line, this is the perfect time.  Our line consists of five products that work together to give you healthier and younger looking skin.  We incorporated anti-aging ingredients that are backed by quality research into formulations that work well with all skin types.  We designed it to be easy to use- 3 steps in the morning, 3 steps at night and a once weekly treatment.  We offer a 100% Money-Back Guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.  It makes a great Christmas gift too!

The Magic Bullet Myth

The magic bullet myth is the idea that there is one product or ingredient that will miraculously meet all of your skin care needs and/or solve all of your skin care problems.  Many times you will see these products advertised with ingredients that sound anywhere from odd to quite bizarre- clay, mud, snail gel, snake oil, beeswax etc.  They will often be accompanied by bogus claims such as: “Ancient miracle cream developed by Mayan medicine man.  Cures acne, arthritis, warts, scars, diaper rash, psoriasis....” 

Now, of the ingredients that I listed above most of them do have a known use that is beneficial for the skin.  The problem is when false advertising stretches the truth about how much these ingredients can actually do.  Another thing to note is that it is actually illegal for companies to make claims that their product can “cure” anything unless the FDA has approved their ingredient as a drug for a specific indication and they have FDA approved labeling that indicates that (ex. the Drug Facts box on OTC medications).  Some companies get by this in a sneaky way- they will put in fine print on their marketing material “People that have used our products say that it heals:” and then give their list of ailments in large print.  Dirty advertising.

Watch out for products like this and don’t be fooled by their dishonest marketing strategies.  When in doubt about any product, look at the main ingredients and do an internet search for that ingredient.  If there is any credible research that proves a benefit for your skin, you will find it fairly easily.  

The Luxury Myth

Well, I’m just going to say it-you don’t have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to find the most effective anti-aging products out there.  I mean really, $100 for one jar of cream is just a little excessive-what technology could possibly be worth so much money?  On the flipside- it is hard to find anything REALLY effective in the $10 range, but overall you can find some great products at reasonable prices and many have the same ingredients as those pricier “luxury” lines.  

So how do you know when something is quality vs. when something is just “fluff”?

When looking at skin care products, it always pays to go to the label because the same basic principles always apply.  

1. You need a GENTLE cleanser- avoid cleansers that claim to do a lot more than just clean the skin.  Any expensive “therapeutic” ingredients in a cleanser will not have enough contact time with your skin to give you the intended benefit- you are basically throwing money down the sink!  Also, avoid cleansers that have “scrub” anywhere in the name.  Many of these products can actually damage the skin on a microscopic level, which leads to aging on a visible level.  
2. Retinol=skin care magic!  If you can tolerate retinol (more on this in a moment), it is one of the greatest ingredients available for your skin.  It helps to decrease sebum production, increases skin cell turnover, and even is beneficial in the prevention of certain types of skin cancer.  You should be aware that retinol will make you more sensitive to the sun-so protect yourself with sunscreen, protective clothing, whatever it takes.  When you first begin using retinol you should expect some side effects such as redness, itching and dry patches.  This should not be severe and it should not last longer than two weeks.  Some people seem to have more difficulty with this than others and choose to not use retinol.  Here are some options if you find that you are hyper-reactive to retinol but you still want to gain the benefits from using it:
1. Find a product with a lower concentration
2. Alternate the usage of your retinol containing product with a non-retinol containing product
3. Try different types of retinol containing products- serums, lotions, creams.  Different formulations will offer different rates of absorption into your skin, which may mitigate your symptoms.
3. Exfoliation is a key component of a good skin care regimen.  Chemical exfoliation with an alpha-hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, etc) or a beta-hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) is preferred over physical exfoliation (i.e. scrubs).  The alpha-hydroxy acids are better for anti-aging and beta-hydroxy acid is better for blemish control.  
4. You can’t get enough antioxidants!  We are bombarded with environmental stressors on a daily basis that cause inflammation and free-radical damage.  Antioxidants protect your skin from this type of damage and there many sources of antioxidants.  Basically, just make sure that you are picking products that contain them and that the product is packaged in such a way as to protect it from air.  Antioxidants break down (oxidize) in the presence of oxygen, so if you are using antioxidants that are stored in a jar and exposed to oxygen everytime you open that jar....your product will basically be worthless by the time you put it on your face.  Airless pumps and airless jars are the new gold standard in packaging (though, in my experience these pumps can be fussy).

There are lots of other beneficial ingredients that are out there: peptides, DMAE and Vitamin C just to name a few, but what I’ve mentioned today are the basics that you should be including in your skin care regimen whether you are spending $50 on products at Target or $250 at Saks (or $169 at www.simplyskinrx.com)!  I hope that you found this information to be beneficial and that you will feel free to ask questions or leave your comments below.  The preceeding post is not meant to serve as medical advice. For any medical questions I recommend that you consult your physician.  I am a pharmacist and a self-proclaimed skincare guru- I read tons of research and try to disseminate it to my readers in a fun and informative way!

The Organic Myth

The market for organic products has blown up over the past few years with companies in every product category trying to create organic brands.  This is no different in skin care and there are lots of products out there that claim to be organic.  I say “claim to be” because there is not a well defined standard for what makes cosmetics and skin care products organic and there seem to be no “organic police” that are out there to dispute claims that companies make in regards to being organic.  Having said that, there are standards that exist and there are entities that certify products as organic, there just isn’t a law that you have to be certified to claim that your product is organic.

But I digress.  The point of this article today is to examine the myth that products that are labeled as organic are better for you than products that are not organic.  This just isn’t true!  The description “organic” is just a statement of where something comes from and it does not imply that that product or ingredient is beneficial for you.  An example of something that is organic, but not good for you: poison ivy!  

What I’m trying to say is that if you are in the market for products that are organic, you should evaluate those products based on the ingredients that they contain.  A good organic product will contain the same types of ingredients as any other good skin care product, it will just use a different source for those ingredients.  Example: antioxidants.  You can find antioxidants in many plants that can be extracted and incorporated into skin care products (though one could argue that by the time these are processed for the mass market they aren’t as “green” or “organic” as you might think).  

Just remember that your basics in skin care always apply to organic and to not-so-organic products.  Your skin needs proper cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliation plus protection against damage from the sun and oxidative stress.  Incorporate those principles into your skin care routine and you are sure to come out a winner!